CNET Top 5: Tech flops Video

CNET Top 5: Tech flops Video Transcript

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>> Welcome to CNET Top 5, where each time we meet, we count down another hot CNET list, I'm Tom Merritt. Now, awhile ago CNET blogger Steve Tobak, compiled the list of the top technology flops. We must learn from history, he points out. So, let's count down the Top 5 Tech Flops. At Number 5, Head-up displays. Yes, they use these in airplanes, but computer monitors of all kinds were supposed to be revolutionized by these cool-looking, futuristic information delivery systems. Turns out some cars have these. Have you seen one with those 'cause I haven't. Coming in at Number 4, Pen computing. I remember as early as the mid-eighties, the light pen was going to rid us of keyboards How's that pen interface working for you bucky? I know tablet PC's exists, but again, how many of you use one? Be honest. Up to Number 3, Information appliances. Now during the late 1990s, the Internet was poised to infest everything. Throw away some garbage within the garbage can, we tell the fridge what to order from web van. And then you could use your stopwatch to tell if they're late or when checks scores too. Sliding in at Number 2, Speech recognition. Forget lightpens, we're supposed to able to just talk to everything by now and rather this one is making progress, so it might un-flop, but for now, Windows Vista and telephone support aside, we're not where Star Trek thought would be. Before we get to Number 1, let's check in on the back half of the list. Admit it, in 1985, sporting your hot new armatrone, you never thought you'd hear a ticking watch again, did you? Alright, let's get to our Number 1. The biggest tech flops so far. At Number 1, it's Virtual reality. What do you mean flop? This is amazing. It's like I'm in a whole other world, except that this is not plugged-in and I've, kind of made up myself. You know, I suppose, Second Life and the World of Warcraft are the first signs that these technology might also un-flop, but that's not really what we mean. We were supposed to put on weird visors and get lost in the world indistinguishable from our own. It was suppose to become a horrible social problem that would wreck you life, you know like in Strange Days staring Ralph Fiennes. Well, that's it for this edition of CNET Top 5. As Steve points out in his blog post, "Some of these flops still have a shot, so don't give up on them yet scientists." I'm Tom Merritt, see you in the future. Oh, yah, I'm already there. ^M00:02:39 [ Music ]